All Things Real and Mythical (Secrets of Sagan Book 1) by Nicole Kimmons

Author:Nicole Kimmons [Kimmons, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-23T23:00:00+00:00

The cool night air is a welcome comfort after the suffocating silence of our trip to the inn. Needing to get out, I walk around the little town and find my way to the pastures. My life is consumed by animals; I’m not even surprised I naturally gravitate toward them at this point.

Without the city lights, the stars glow vibrantly in the never-ending night sky. The only constellations I could ever identify were the Big Dipper and Orion’s Belt. Are they the same here?

I search above for three stars side by side when something glowing in the distance catches my attention. My eyes adjust and spot one of the deer with gold antlers. It takes a step, stumbling before collapsing on the ground.

I run to it as fast as I can. Animals don’t collapse in fields for no reason. The deer was swaying when it stumbled, and I already have a suspicion I know the cause. I just hope I’m not too late.

There’s an incision along their throat near the jugular vein and carotid artery. The animal is still alive but breathing heavily. A switch flips, sending me into doctor mode. Shutting out the world around me, I grab a quick pulse. It is weak but rapid. A sign of hypovolemia, it's losing too much blood. I need to act fast if I have any hope of saving them.

I run back to the inn to get the supplies we bought at the market, ignoring the burn in my lungs, pushing my body to the limits. I can do this. This animal isn’t going to die. Like every emergency, panic is the enemy, so I remain in the state of calm focus.

Mari and Levi are eating when I storm into the room. Quickly I grab the bag and run out the door again, faster than I arrived. I was hoping to avoid them but it’s too late to stress over it.

“Where are you going, Charlotte?” Levi’s yell follows me.

I don’t turn around or bother to give him a response. Saving the deer is more important right now.

When I make it back to the animal, it’s still breathing but struggling worse than before. First task, stop the bleeding. I wish I had access to my equipment from back home to help, but these items will have to do. I find some hemostats to help clamp off the smaller bleeders. Once I blot off some of the pooling blood, my worst fear is confirmed. The jugular has been sliced and is slowly leaking. The fact it hasn’t been completely severed is likely the only reason they made it this far. Horses can survive with one jugular. This doesn’t mean the animal is completely hopeless.

I hold gauze over the area, trying to think through my options. I could add some suture to keep the vein intact, but this animal needs blood fast. It’s already going into shock as it is.

“What are you doing?” Levi kneels beside me. I didn’t even realize he followed me out here, I’m far too lost to my treatment plan.

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